Flexible Information Handling System and Display Configuration Management

ABSTRACT

A portable information handling system with rotationally coupled housing portions having an OLED film display disposed over the housing portions automatically predicts a housing rotational configuration based at least in part upon end user touches detected at the housing portions. An orientation manager controls hinge positions for hinges that rotationally couple the housing portions to each other to coordinate movement of the housing portions to a desired predicted rotational configuration, such a planar tablet configuration, a folded configuration, or a clamshell configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of informationhandling system displays, and more particularly to a flexibleinformation handling system and display configuration management.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Portable information handling systems provide end users with mobility toperform processing tasks virtually anywhere. Portable informationhandling systems integrate a power supply, input/output (I/O) devices,wireless communication devices and a display in a portable housing sothat the end user can operate the system without coupling to externalresources, such as power and communication cables. As processingcapability, memory and wireless communication capability have improved,end users have migrated from stationary desktop information handlingsystems to portable systems for everyday use. Effectively, a user maytake his work office to any convenient location, log into a wirelessnetwork and have access to an enterprise desktop, storage and otherresources. When operating in an enterprise or home environment, portableinformation handling systems conveniently dock with peripherals thatenhance the user interface, such as peripheral displays that offerlarger viewing area and peripheral keyboards.

The transition from stationary to portable information handling systemshas taken place in part due to advances in display technology. Flatpanel displays offer a thin form factor that adapts well in portablehousings. For example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are adapted to fitinto a lid housing portion that rotationally couples to a main housingportion so that the display is maintained in a viewing position duringuse. A keyboard integrated in the main housing portion upper surface isexposed by rotating the lid portion upwards so that an end user caninput at the keyboard while viewing the display. The lid portion rotatesdown over the keyboard to protect the system in a portable configurationso that the end user can store the system with a minimal footprint whennot in use. LCD technology advanced with the introduction of LEDbacklights to further minimize the lid portion thickness. With theadoption of touchscreen LCDs, a tablet form factor gained popularity inwhich the entire information handling system integrated in a singleplanar housing that accepted inputs by touches at the touchscreen. Thetablet form factor is widely used in mobile telephone informationhandling systems and in tablet information handling systems that have anall-in-one configuration. Some systems detachably couple to a base thatincludes a keyboard so that an end user can readily select to configurethe system as either a tablet, a conventional clamshell system or aconvertible system that rotates the keyboard portion 360 degrees toexpose the display in a tablet mode.

More recently, organic light emitting diode (OLED) display devices havebeen introduced that further reduce the thickness of the displaystructure. OLED devices generate images with pixels that produce lightof different colors, as opposed to LCDs that filter light provided by abacklight structure. The OLED structure is thinner since it does not usea backlight, and also flexible so that the OLED material molds to thestructure of the housing to which it couples, such as in devices thathave curved display edges. One difficulty with integration of OLEDdevices into a portable information handling system is providingsufficient structure to support the thin OLED film that produces thevisual image and protecting the outer surface of the OLED film fromdamage. Another difficulty is that OLED films generate heat as abyproduct of illumination of images. The thin form factor provided by anOLED display is appreciated by end users who seek highly portabledevices, however, portable devices need sufficient robustness to survivein various usage configurations. Further, some structural thickness istypically necessary to integrate various processing components in ahousing that supports the OLED display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which provides aflexible information handling system display user interfaceconfiguration and provisioning.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method areprovided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous methods and systems for coordinating housingrotational configuration and display content presentation. Aninformation handling system housing having plural rotationally-coupledhousing portions with a foldable display disposed over the housingportions coordinates display presentation and relative rotationalorientation of the housing portions to enhance end user interactivity.

More specifically, a portable information handling system has pluralprocessing components disposed in a housing having pluralrotationally-coupled portions. Hinges disposed between therotationally-coupled housing portions selectively adjust friction tocooperatively bias and maintain the housing portions in desired relativerotational orientations. For example, three or four housing portionsconfigure in a planar tablet orientation, a clamshell orientation, athree or four fold videoconference orientation and a closed orientation.A display film disposed over the housing portions, such as an OLED film,folds with the housing portions and automatically adapts contentpresentation based upon detected housing portion relative orientation.For example, folding housing portions from a planar to a clamshellorientation changes content presentation from all portions of thedisplay to the portions vertically raised in a viewing position andpresents other content on horizontally disposed portions, such as avirtual keyboard or virtual touchpad. End user selection of a desiredhousing portion rotational orientation is enhanced by monitoring enduser touches and system context to predict when an end user desires tochange housing portion orientation and the desired orientation. Hingeresistance is managed to aid in transition between rotationalorientations based upon the predicted end user desired orientation. Asthe desired orientation is achieved, display content is automaticallyadapted, such as by changing the display portions used to show contentand/or by changing the content in focus.

The present invention provides a number of important technicaladvantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that afoldable display integrates into an information handling system housingand folds as housing portions are rotated relative to each other.Housings having three, four or more portions are maintained in arelative orientation desired by the end user, such as by maintaininghousing hinge resistance during movement of the system as a whole andrelaxing hinge resistance to movement when end user inputs indicate adesire to change relative housing portion orientation. Display contentadapts to detected orientation by presenting the primary content in anarea of the display corresponding to a housing portion viewed by the enduser and presenting input/output devices and other user interfaceinformation in secondary display portions. For example, primary contentpresented across an entire display in a tablet orientation is adjustedto present at a vertically-oriented portion in a clamshell mode. Asanother example, a three or four fold configuration creates a standingsystem with multiple display views in multiple orientations toconveniently support a video conference or multimedia viewing. In oneembodiment, a peripheral keyboard selectively biases to a typingposition on a display portion to trigger presentation of content in aclamshell mode with a virtual touchpad presented proximate the keyboard.Additional functionality included in the keyboard may include a heatsink, a wireless network interface card for cellular or WiFi hotspotcommunication and/or storage, all of which are accessed with a 60 GHzWPAN between the information handling system and keyboard, such asthrough antenna aligned when the keyboard biases into position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of a portable informationhandling system having a foldable display configured in a clamshellorientation:

FIG. 2 depicts an upper perspective blown-up view of a portableinformation handling system having a foldable display configured in aplanar tablet configuration:

FIG. 3 depicts a side blown up view of a portable information handlingsystem having a foldable display and peripheral keyboard removablymounted with magnetic attraction;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C respectively depict the portable informationhandling system configured with a three-fold, four-fold and clamshellconfiguration:

FIG. 5 depicts a portable information handling system having a foldeddisplay with an end user input to rotate the housing portions to adesired configuration;

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a portable information handling systemhaving foldable display with automated configuration and displaymanagement;

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of a process for configuring a foldableportable information handling system to a predicted desired rotationalorientation:

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of a process for configuring a foldableportable information handling system to adapt displayed content to arotational orientation; and

FIG. 9 depicts a side blown up view of a portable information handlingsystem having thermal transfer to a peripheral keyboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable information handling system having a flexible display filmdisposed over rotationally-coupled housing portions automaticallyconfigures content presentation and housing portion rotation. Forpurposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may includeany instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable tocompute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an informationhandling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, orany other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system may includerandom access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic,ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components ofthe information handling system may include one or more disk drives, oneor more network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a side perspective view depicts a portableinformation handling system 10 having a foldable display 14 configuredin a clamshell orientation. The term clamshell configuration refers tothe relative rotational orientation of a folded housing 12 to holddisplay 14 in a viewing positions over a keyboard 18 that accepts enduser inputs. In the example embodiment, display 14 has a contiguousdisplay film, such as an OLED film, that is disposed over folded housing12. Display 14 conforms to folded housing 12 and bends as housingportions of folded housing 12 are rotated relative to each other. In theexample embodiment, the vertically-oriented portion of display 14presents content to an end user much as a conventional clamshellportable information handling system, and a peripheral keyboard 18 restson top of a horizontally-oriented portion of display 14 to accept enduser inputs. Information handling system 10 detects the rotationalorientation of folded housing 12 portions and, based upon the detectedrelative orientation, adapts content for presentation at display 14. Inthe example embodiment, content, such as application output, ispresented at the vertically-oriented portion of display 14, a virtualtouchpad 16 is presented proximate keyboard 18, and a bottom surface ofdisplay 14 folded underneath keyboard 18 has its pixels turned off.

Automated configuration of housing orientation and displayed contentenhances an end user experience by adapting interactions to the enduser's environment. In various embodiments, folded housing 12 has two,three, four or more portions rotationally-coupled to each other toprovide a variety of folded housing configurations. Display 14interfaces with logic, such as embedded code on a graphics or embeddedcontroller, which uses fold state and vertical orientation of housingportions to select content for presentation at selected portions ofdisplay 14. Other operating context may be analyzed as relevant tofurther define operating modes of information handling system 10. Forexample, placing a keyboard 18 on display 14 indicates an operating modefor inputs monitored at one part of display 14 and a fold state thatraises the content portion of display 14 for viewing by an end user.Various examples of housing rotational orientations and display contentpresentations are set forth herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an upper perspective blown-up view depicts aportable information handling system 10 having a foldable display 14configured in a planar tablet configuration. The terms planar and tabletrefer to a configuration having display 14 unfolded with each housing 12portion disposed in a common plane. In the example embodiment, housing12 has three portions rotationally-coupled to each other by hinges 34 sothat each housing 12 portion rotates independently relative otherportions. In alternative embodiments, a variety of types of hinges 34may be used, such as to synchronize movement of some or all housingportions. Further, the end portions of housing 12 may rotationallycouple to the middle portion to support up to a full 360 degrees ofrotation relative to the middle portion. For example, in one embodiment,the three portions of housing 12 fold to a collapsed state for storagewith a minimized footprint, such as with all three portions verticallystacked on each other.

In the example embodiment, portable information handling system 10includes a variety of processing components disposed in housing 12 thatcooperate to process information. For example, a central processing unit(CPU) 22 executes instructions stored in random access memory (RAM) 24to process information. A solid state drive (SSD) 26 provides persistentstorage to store information and applications when in a powered downstate. A chipset 28 includes a variety of processors and controllersthat perform physical interface and other functions, such as datacommunication and memory control. A graphics processor unit (GPU) 30processes information for presentation at display 14, such as bygenerating pixel values from visual information and providing the pixelvalues to display 14 so that display 14 presents visual imagescorresponding to visual information that defined the pixel values. Anembedded controller 32 manages interfaces with input/output devices andother physical functions, such as power control. For example, inputsfrom an end user may include physical touches at display 14 detected bya capacitive touchscreen or from external peripherals, such as keyboard18, that communicate with wireless signals to a wireless networkinterface card (WNIC) 41. Thermal energy generated by the processingcomponents is managed within housing 12 by a cooling subsystem 36, suchan active cooling fan that moves air within housing 12 or a passivethermal sink and transfer system. Power is provided from an integratedbattery 40 and a power subsystem 38 that accepts external power to runthe processing components and charge battery 40.

Display 14 is, for example, an OLED film providing a contiguous displayarea across the upper surface of housing 12 and mounted over a displaymounting surface 44. GPU 30 interfaces with display 14 to communicatepixel values that display 14 applies to present visual images. Displaymounting surface 44 provides support to display 14, such as in responseto touches made by an end user as inputs. Display mounting surface 44maintains display 14 over each housing 12 portion and provides movementfor folding display 14 where hinges 34 provide rotational coupling ofhousing 12 portions. A lock 42 interfaced with hinges 34 supportselective rotational movement of housing 12 portions, such as byadjusting the amount of friction applied against rotational movement ofhinges 34. In the example embodiment, each portion of housing 12 hassimilar dimensions, however, in alternative embodiments, the size ofeach portion may be different. For example, in the example embodimentkeyboard 18 rests on display 14 in a central location; however inalternative embodiments, portions of housing 12 that support keyboard 18may have a dimension sized more closely to that of keyboard 18.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side blown up view depicts a portableinformation handling system 10 having a foldable display 14 andperipheral keyboard 18 removably mounted with magnetic attraction.Mounting magnets 46 rest on display mounting surface 44 and keyboard 18to bias keyboard 18 into a desired location on display 14. In theexample embodiment, opposing magnet polarities are used to bias keyboard18 into position; however, in alternative embodiments other types ofbiasing mechanisms may be used, such as physical formations formed indisplay 14 and keyboard 18 that interact or interconnect to maintainkeyboard 18 in a desired position. Although opposing magnet polaritiesprovide improved magnetic attraction, magnets may be used in just one ofdisplay 14 and keyboard 18 by using ferromagnetic material as theopposing attractive material. Placement of keyboard 18 on display 14 isdetected at information handling system 10 so that presentation ofvisual images under keyboard 18 is stopped and other configurationactions may take place, such as presenting virtual input devices atdisplay 14 and modifying presentation of content at display 14 so an enduser views visual information while inputs are made at keyboard 18.Detection of keyboard 18 on display 14 may be performed by analyzingtouch points detected by a touchscreen over display 14, by detectingproximity of magnets with a Hall sensor, and/or similar techniques.

Keyboard 18 integrates an antenna and wireless device 48 that supportswireless communication between keyboard 18 and information handlingsystem 10. For example, opposing MIMO pattern antenna 50 communicatewith 60 GHz wireless signals to provide high data rate transfers with alow power signal. In one embodiment, antenna and wireless device 48 inkeyboard 18 includes tri-band wireless signal support for interactingwith external wireless devices, such as WiFi wireless access points.Integrating the WiFi antenna in keyboard 18 provides space to have anefficient antenna structure that enhances signal strength for improveddata transfer rates and range. A 60 GHz interface between keyboard 18and information handling system 10 relays WiFi communications whenkeyboard 18 is detected on display 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C respectively, portable informationhandling system 10 is configured with a three-fold, four-fold andclamshell configuration. In the example embodiment of FIG. 4A, housing12 has three rotationally-coupled portions rotated to a three-foldconfiguration that forms a support to hold information handling system10 upright in a portrait orientation. The three fold configurationprovides three viewing areas that may each present contentindependently. In the example, a video window 54 is presented at the topof each housing portion with control window 56 below that acceptscontrol inputs for video window 54. In the example embodiment, multipleusers may view the same content from multiple angles by outputting thesame content in each video window 54 of each housing 12 portion.Alternatively, each display face may present independent content asdesired by the user. FIG. 4B illustrates a housing 12 having four foldedportions that present content at four independent faces of display 14.One example use case for such a configuration is a video conference inan enterprise environment that allows multiple end users arranged arounda conference table to participate in a video call. Alternatively, one ormore portions of display 14 may present supporting information, such asdocuments being discussed in the video conference. In one embodiment,placing information handling system 10 in the three or four foldconfiguration and the portrait orientation as depicted by FIGS. 4A and4B results in automated selection of a video conference application andpresentation of video conference controls. In alternative embodiments,alternative applications may be presented at display 14 based upondetected housing portion configurations and orientation, such asmultimedia windows or other applications.

Generally, the relative rotational orientation of housing portionsprovides clues relating to an end user's intended use of informationhandling system 10 so that rotation of housing portions to a particularorientation may initiate related configuration of visual image andapplication presentations. In the example embodiment of FIG. 4C, athree-fold housing configuration has a folded configuration that mimicsa clamshell portable information handling system. A folded under portion62 forms a solid base to support display 14 in a vertical orientationabove keyboard 18. An end user has access to keyboard 18 to make keyedinputs while observing content on display 14. Proximate to keyboard 18on the horizontally-disposed display 14, additional input or controlinterfaces may be presented that enhance interactions with keyboard 18.For example, a mouse or touchpad area may be presented as a virtualdevice, or specific display control inputs may be presented, such as tocontrol color, brightness, contrast, etc. . . . As is described herein,various display presentation configurations are automatically enforcedby detecting the context of the information handling system, such as therelative rotational orientation of housing portions.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a portable information handling system 10 isdepicted having a folded display 14 with an end user input to rotate thehousing 12 portions to a desired configuration. The end user hand hasgrasped one housing 12 portion and lifted that housing portion to changethe housing configuration from a planar tablet configuration to a foldedconfiguration, such as a clamshell configuration. A plurality of sensorsdisposed in information handling system 10 detect end user inputsassociated with changes to the configuration of housing 12 so that theend user's desired configuration may be predicted as an aid to achievingthe desired configuration. For example, sensors that provide feedback ofan end user's desired configuration include accelerometers 66,magnetometers or hall switches 68, ambient light sensors 70, capacitivetouch surface 64 of display 14 and other similar sensors. Logic ininformation handling system 10 analyzes sensed conditions and systemcontext to predict a configuration desired by the end user touches. Forexample, other context used to predict a desired end user housingconfiguration may include the applications running on informationhandling system 10, the content presented at display 14, the proximityof a keyboard 18 to display 14, the system location and previous enduser configurations selected under similar conditions.

In the example embodiment depicted by FIG. 5, an end user grasp hasmultiple fingers detected at touch surface 64 and a thumb detected onthe backside of housing 12 at only one portion of housing 12. The enduser grasp indicates a desire to rotate just the grasped housing 12portion about hinge 34. For example, logic in information handlingsystem 10 detects a touch at only one housing portion and, in response,releases friction at hinge 34 for that one housing portion to rotatemore freely. Once accelerometer 66 detects that motion of that housingportion has ceased, information handling system 10 stiffens friction athinge 32 to hold the housing portion in the selected rotationalorientation. This provides the end user with a one-handed operation tochange the housing orientation at one portion while retaining the othertwo portions in an existing orientation. If, as another example, the enduser grasps both outer portions of housing 12 at the same time,relaxation of friction at all hinges 34 provides ready translation ofinformation handling system 10 from a planar housing configuration to aclamshell or other type of folded configuration. Over time, logic ininformation handling system 10 learns an association between end usertouches and desired housing configurations and manipulates friction athinges 34 to aid the end user in achieving a desired rotationalorientation of the housing portions.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram depicts a portable informationhandling system 10 having a foldable display 14 with automatedconfiguration and display management. Information handling systemhousings that have three or more rotationally coupled housing portionsprovide end users with increased flexibility to view content andinteract with the content by arranging the housing portions in differentrelative rotational orientations. In some instances, the end user maywant to pick up information handling system 10 in a tablet configurationwithout having hinges move. When an end user does rotate housingportions relative to each other, the end user will typically wantcontent viewed on display 14 to adapt to the new housing portionorientation. In order to provide automated housing orientation anddisplay content adjustment, logic in information handling system 10monitors sensors and context to automate selection of housingorientation and display content. For example, embedded controller 32 orsimilar processing resources of information handling system 10 executesembedded code that controls hinge friction, such as by adjusting lock42, and content presentation areas of display 14. A hinge lock module 71interfaces with locks 42 to selectively adjust friction applied by locks42 between rotationally-coupled housing portions. As sensors detect enduser touches that indicate a desired housing portion relative rotationalorientation, hinge lock module 72 selectively releases and reassertsfriction at one or more locks 42 to aid rotational movement of housingportions to a predicted position of what the end user desires for therelative rotational configuration. Hinge lock module 72 predicts the enduser's desired location based upon sensed inputs and other contextualinformation about the operational state of information handling system10.

One example of a predicted desired end user housing configuration isprovided by detection of finger and thumb positions at a housingportion. For instance, detection of finger touches on a backside of ahousing portion with a thumb touch on a front side of the housingportion indicates a desire by the end user to rotate the housing portionfrom back towards front. A palm resting on a middle portion of housing12 while fingers grasp an outer portion indicates a desired to keep themiddle portion from moving rotating relative to other housing portionsthat are not touched. Hand grasps on both outer portions of housing 12indicates a desire to collapse the outer housing portions into themiddle housing portion. As housing portions rotate, accelerometer 66inputs detect housing portion orientation relative to gravity and, thus,relative to other housing portions so that monitoring of the movement ofthe housing portions allows readjustment of hinge friction as thepredicted desired housing orientation is reached. Similarly, ambientlight sensor 70 and magnetometer 68 sense proximity of housing portionsto each other to provide information of relative housing portionorientation. For example, a low sensed ambient light or a rapid changein ambient light indicates that housing portion proximity has impactedlight accessing ambient light sensor 70. As another example, interactionby a magnetometer or Hall switch with a magnet indicates that anotherhousing portion has gained proximity. In addition, pressure sensedagainst locks 42 indicates how much force an end user is applyingagainst the housing portions to cause movement. Feedback from locks 42to hinge lock module 72 allows adjustment to lock friction so that as anend user reduces force the housing portions are maintained in a desiredposition. As an example, hinge lock module 72 controls a solenoid inlock 42 that selectively increases or decrease friction operatingagainst hinges 34.

A keyboard manager 73 executing as embedded code on embedded controller32 detects proximity of a keyboard 18 to display 14 to provideadditional information regarding an end user's desired rotationalorientation. For example, magnets disposed in keyboard 18 are detectedby a magnetometer or Hall switch as keyboard 18 is placed into positionon display 14. Detection of a keyboard indicates a desire of the enduser to rotate the housing portions into either a clamshell orientationfor typing or a closed configuration around keyboard 18. Similarly,removal of keyboard 18 from display 14 indicates a desire by the enduser to configure the housing portions to a tablet configuration.

An orientation manager 74 interfaces with hinge lock module 72 andkeyboard manager 73 to automatically adjust content presented at display14 as housing portion rotational orientation changes. For example, ifkeyboard manager 73 detects placement of a keyboard 18 on display 14,orientation manager 74 adjusts content presentation at display 14 to anarea of display 14 visible and aligned for accepting keyed inputs.Further, orientation manager 74 removes presentation of content underkeyboard 18 and presents a virtual touchpad proximate keyboard 18 foraccepting end user touch inputs. Advantageously, orientation manager 74detects the orientation of the keyboard in order to predict whichportion of display 14 an end user will view while making keyed inputs.When keyboard manager 73 detects removal of a keyboard 18, orientationmanager 74 provides presentation of content at display 14 in place ofkeyboard 18, such as by presenting visual information in a tablet modeacross the entire surface of display 14.

As another example, orientation manager 73 adapts informationpresentation at display 14 based upon sensed housing portionorientation. In a planar tablet configuration, the entire displaysurface presents content. If rotational orientation indicates aclamshell or other folded orientation of housing portions, content ispresented at the display covering the housing portion facing the enduser. In such a configuration, a vertical orientation at a housingportion indicates that an end user intends to view content and ahorizontal orientation indicates that an end user intends to performtouch inputs. Thus, for example, upon detecting a clamshell orientation,orientation manger 74 presents content at the vertically-orientedportion of display 14 and presents a virtual keyboard on thehorizontally-oriented portion of display 14. As another example,orientation manager 74 detects the three-fold and four-foldconfigurations depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B by monitoring orientationprovided from accelerometers 66 and housing portion proximity frommagnetometers 68, such as when magnets on opposing ends of housing 12come into proximity with each other. In response, orientation manager 74automatically provisions content on each face of display 14 formulti-user multi-axis viewing. For example, a videoconference andrelated controls may automatically be initiated, or a multimedia contentmay be repeated at each display face. In various embodiments, differentfaces of display 14 may take on different presentation roles, such as byshowing a videoconference on one or more faces and shared documents onanother face.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram depicts a process forconfiguring a foldable portable information handling system to apredicted desired rotational orientation. The process starts at step 72by determining a housing rotational configuration. Initial configurationis analyzed from sensed conditions, such as accelerometer readings ateach housing portion, proximity determinations from magnet andmagnetometer readings and hinge positions from hinge lock module 72. Atstep 74 an end user input is detected that is associated with a changein housing portion rotational configuration. The end user inputs includetouches at the front or rear of a housing portion, visual images of anend user reaching for the information handling system, accelerations orother indicia. In some instances, an end user interaction withapplications running on the information handling system may indicate apending change to rotational configuration orientation, such as aselection of an application that is not compatible with the existingconfiguration. For example, selection of a videoconference applicationwhile configured in a tablet mode indicates a likely end userinteraction to re-configure the housing. As another example, placementon or removal of a keyboard from display 14 indicates an end user intentto change orientation based on the availability of the user interfacedevice.

At step 76, an analysis of end user inputs is performed to predict ahousing portion rotational orientation desired by the end user. Theanalysis compares the existing rotational configuration with the sensedinputs to determine expected inputs of the end user for achieving adesired rotational configuration. For example, placement of the keyboardon a middle housing portion in a tablet configuration with the keysaligned in a direction indicates a likely intent to raise the housingportion in that direction to a viewing position. Similarly, removal ofthe keyboard from a clamshell configuration with housing portion raisedin a viewing position indicates an intention to transition to a tabletrotational configuration. Other indicia of the desired rotationalconfiguration include end user touches on the front or rear surface of ahousing portion, accelerations and housing portion proximity to eachother. In addition, end user application selection or application infocus provides information about an end user's intentions in subsequentinteractions, including a likely end user desired orientation. Overtime, tracking an end user's actual selected rotational orientation fora given set of inputs allows the information handling system learn enduser preferences so that predicted rotational orientations are moreaccurate.

At step 78, hinge resistance to movement is adjusted to coordinatemovement of the housing portions relative to each other so that thehousing portions tend to rotate in the manner anticipated as desired bythe end user. For example, if transition from a tablet mode to aclamshell mode is predicted, the hinge between the rotating housingelements has friction relaxed while the hinge between other housingportions remains stiff In a four-fold housing configuration, the middlehinge may relax friction while intermediate hinges remain stiff so thatthe housing folds roughly in half. As another example, if avideoconference configuration is predicted that will from triangle ofcube out of the housing portions, all hinges may have resistance relaxedto aid rapid transition to the desired rotational configuration. At step80, a comparison is made of actual end user inputs to predicted inputsto confirm that the end user intends to configure the housing portionsas predicted. For example, if hinge pressure and movement is consistentwith a predicted movement, the process continues to step 82 to set hingeresistance to maintain the predicted rotational orientation. If, on theother hand, end user inputs counter the predicted movement, the processreturns to step 76 to re-analyze the end user's intentions. In thatregard, although hinge resistance is set to accommodate a predictedmovement, end user pressure that counters the predicted movement willovercome the friction so that the end user can achieve a desiredrotational configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram depicts a process forconfiguring a foldable portable information handling system to adaptdisplayed content to a rotational orientation. As an end user changesrotational configuration of housing portions, the end user willgenerally want a different view of the display content with the neworientation. The process starts at step 76 with detection of a displayevent, such as a change in orientation of a housing portion, a change inorientation of the housing as a whole, a change in content presented atthe display, a change in content at a display portion associated with ahousing portion, placement or removal of a keyboard at the display, etc.In response to detection of a display event, the process continues tostep 78 to determine a display context. The display context isdetermined from a totality of conditions sensed proximate to thedisplay, including the content presented at the display. Generally,analysis of the display context is intended to predict how an end userwould desire to view display content in light of the display event. Inthis regard, multiple factors are considered, such as the application infocus at the display, the orientation of the display, historical enduser selections responsive to the display event, input and outputdevices available, network interface available, etc. At step 80, adetermination is made of whether the display event included a change inorientation of the housing or a housing portion. If so, at step 82 thehinge locks are adjusted to coordinate the new orientation. At step 84,a determination is made of whether to change the display context basedupon the detected display event. Changes to display context include thedisplay area used to present primary content and/or secondary content,changes to applications presenting content, changes to applications infocus and changes to virtual input devices. As an example, in a tabletconfiguration a primary content is presented across the entire displayand at reconfiguration to a clamshell configuration, the primary contentis presented at a portion of the display corresponding to one housingportion while a virtual keyboard is presented at another portion of thedisplay corresponding to another housing portion. As another example ofa change in context, the virtual keyboard is removed when a peripheralkeyboard is placed on the virtual keyboard and a virtual touchpad ispresented proximate the peripheral keyboard. As another example,rotation of a three-fold or four-fold housing configuration betweenlandscape and portrait orientations initiates or removes avideoconference user interface. In one embodiment, a video conferencewindow is presented at the display area corresponding to a housingportion and video conference controls are presented at a display areacorresponding to a different housing portion. Alternatively, automatedpresentation of a video conference may include a videoconference viewingwindow and control window on each housing portion display. At step 86,the display content is altered if appropriate and the process ends atstep 88.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a side blown up view depicts a portableinformation handling system 10 having thermal transfer to a peripheralkeyboard 18. Keyboard 18 has a heat sink 92 integrated below keys 90,such as an aluminum block that readily conducts and accepts thermalenergy. Keys 90 and heat sink 92 integrate into a key tray 94, such as atray constructed with an insulating plastic, which includes magnets 46.A thermal conduit 96 thermally interfaces heat sink 92 and coolingsubsystem 36 so that thermal energy is transferred from coolingsubsystem 36 to heat sink 92 when keyboard 18 is placed on display 14.For example, magnets 46 bias keyboard 18 into a predetermined positionon display 14 that aligns thermal conduit 96 so that a thermal interfaceis established between heat sink 92 and cooling subsystem 36. In oneexample embodiment, a protrusion extending from keyboard 18 extends intoan indentation defined in display 14 at which the thermal interfaceoccurs. The magnetic or other biasing mechanism that aligns keyboard 18on display 14 also aligns antenna elements to maximize wireless transferdata rates between keyboard 18 and information handling system 10. Inalternative embodiments, keyboard 18 may include a variety of additionalsupporting functions in addition to heat sink 92. For example, keyboard18 may include additional storage, such as a solid state drive, andadditional networking resources, such as a wireless wide area network(WWAN) card to support cell service data transfers. The additionalsupporting functions included in keyboard 18 wirelessly interface withinformation handling system 10 upon detection of keyboard 18, such aswith a 60 GHz interface. In one example embodiment, detection ofkeyboard 18 automatically re-configures information handling system 10to leverage the additional functions, such as by allowing a greaterinternal thermal condition when keyboard 18 is detected in a positionassociated with thermal conductivity of internal thermal energy to theexternal heat sink. As another example, keyboard 18 may include awireless charging device that wireless transfers power to wireless powerreceiving device disposed in housing 12. For example, keyboard 18includes a cable interface to an external power source that providespower to a wireless charging device integrated in keyboard 18. Upondetection of keyboard 18 on display 14 in an appropriate position,wireless power transfer is initiated from keyboard 18 to a battery inhousing 12. In various embodiments, various positions on display 14support different functions so that placement of the keyboard in aparticular position defines the function performed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable information handling systemcomprising: a housing having rotationally coupled portions; a processordisposed in the housing and operable to execute instructions to generatevisual information; a memory disposed in the housing and interfaced withthe processor, the memory operable to store the information; a displaydisposed in the housing over the rotationally coupled portions andinterfaced with the processor and memory, the display operable topresent the information as visual images, the display comprising aflexible film that folds responsive to rotation of the rotationallycoupled portions; a graphics processor interfaced with the display andoperable to process the visual information to generate pixelinformation, the pixel information defining visual images forpresentation on the display; plural sensors integrated in the housing,the sensors operable to detect end user interactions with the housing;plural locks disposed in the housing and operable to selectivelyrestrict rotation of the housing portions relative to each other; and anorientation manager interfaced with the plural sensors and the plurallocks, the orientation manager operable to apply detected end userinputs to predict a desired housing rotational configuration and tooperate the plural locks in response to coordinate rotational movementof the housing portions to the predicted housing rotationalconfiguration.
 2. The portable information handling system of claim 1wherein the plural sensors include at least: plural touch sensors thatdetect end user touch locations at the plural housing portions; andplural accelerometers that detect housing portion orientation.
 3. Theportable information handling system of claim 2 wherein the pluralsensors further comprise pressure sensors disposed in the plural locksand operable to detect force applied to move the housing portions ateach lock.
 4. The portable information handling system of claim 2further comprising: a peripheral keyboard sized to rest on the displayat a predetermined housing portion; a biasing mechanism operable to biasthe peripheral keyboard to remain in the predetermined housing portion;and wherein the plural sensors include the biasing mechanism operable tosense proximity of the keyboard in the predetermined location.
 5. Theportable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the desired enduser configuration comprises one of a planar configuration or clamshellconfiguration.
 6. The portable information handling system of claim 1wherein the orientation manager differentiates pressure directed towardsa front and rear face of the housing portions to predict the desiredorientation.
 7. The portable information handling system of claim 6wherein the orientation manager differentiates orientation relative togravity at the housing portions to predict desired orientation.
 8. Theportable information handling system of claim 1 further comprising adisplay manager interfaced with the orientation manager and the display,the display manager automatically presenting visual information contentat display portions associated with the housing portions based upon thepredicted desired orientation.
 9. A method for managing rotationalorientation of portable information handling system housing portions,the method comprising: detecting end user touches at plural of thehousing portions; in response to detecting, analyzing the touches topredict a desired housing portion rotational configuration; andregulating relative rotational motion between the housing portions tocoordinate establishment of the predicted desired housing positionrotational configuration.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein: detectingend user touches further comprises differentiating touches at front andrear faces of the housing portions; and analyzing the touches furthercomprises applying the front and rear face touches to determine adesired relative rotation of the housing portions.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising: detecting orientation of each of thehousing portions relative to gravity; and analyzing the orientationrelative to gravity to predict the desired housing portion rotationalconfiguration.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the desired housingportion rotational configuration comprises one of a planar configurationor a clamshell configuration.
 13. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising: detecting a keyboard placed on a display disposed over ahousing portion; and in response to detecting the keyboard, predicting aclamshell housing portion rotational configuration.
 14. The method ofclaim 9 wherein regulating relative rotational motion between thehousing portions further comprises adjusting friction at a hinge thatrotationally couples first and second housing portions to each other.15. A portable information handling system display comprising: an OLEDfilm disposed over a housing, the housing having plural portions thatrotate relative to each other, the OLED film flexing during rotation ofthe housing portions to conform to the housing; plural sensors disposedin the plural housing portions, the plural sensors operable to detectend user touches that the plural portions; and an orientation managerinterfaced with the plural sensors, the orientation manager operable toapply detected end user touches to predict a desired housing rotationalconfiguration and, in response, to coordinate rotational movement of thehousing portions to the predicted housing rotational configuration. 16.The portable information handling system display of claim 15 whereinpredicted housing rotational configuration comprises one of a foldedconfiguration or a planar configuration.
 17. The portable informationhandling system display of claim 15 further comprising: at least threehousing portions rotationally coupled to each other by hinges; and alock associated with each hinge, each lock interfaced with theorientation manager, the orientation manager adapting each lock tocoordinate rotational movement of the housing portions to the predicteddesired housing rotational configuration.
 18. The portable informationhandling system display of claim 17 further comprising a peripheralkeyboard sized to rest on the display at a housing portion, theorientation manager detecting proximity of the peripheral keyboard tothe display and applying the detected proximity to predict the desiredhousing rotational configuration.
 19. The portable information handlingsystem of claim 1 wherein the predicted desired housing rotationalconfiguration with the keyboard proximate the display comprises aclamshell orientation.
 20. The portable information handling system ofclaim 19 further comprising a display manager operable adapt displaycontent based upon the predicted desired housing rotationalconfiguration.